Operation Safedrive sees 50 motorists stopped in Shirland

Police worked in partnership to put the brakes on driving offences as part of a targeted operation in Shirland.

Safer Neighbourhood officers teamed up throughout the day on Thursday, February 19 to carry out vehicle safety checks along the A61 in Shirland.

50 vehicles were stopped during the Operation Safedrive event in a bid to crackdown on offences such as motorists not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone at the wheel and vehicle defects.

The South Eastern Safer Neighbourhood Team worked alongside the Roads Policing Unit, HM Revenue and Customs, Casualty Reduction and Enforcement Support Team (CREST) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).

During the day of action, 12 motorists were stopped after they were found to not be wearing a seatbelt, two motorists for using a mobile phone at the wheel and one motorist for driving in access of the speed limit.

A mixture of warnings and penalties were also issued to 14 people for vehicle registration plate offences, and 15 motorists for issues such as defects with tyres, lights and brakes.

Six vehicles were also seized as they were found with serious defects which stopped the driver from continuing with their journey without repair or recovery of the vehicle.

HM Revenue and Customs carried out fuel checks on diesel powered vehicles during the day of action.

Safer Neighbourhood Sergeant Leslie Rawson said: “The point of Operation Safedrive is to make our roads as safe as we can for drivers, passengers and pedestrians.

“We will continue to work alongside our partners to promote the message of road safety and vehicle maintenance, and those motorists who put others at risk will be dealt with appropriately.”

Operation Safedrive is an on-going Derbyshire police campaign to educate motorists about responsible driving and make roads across the county safer.

To find out more about the initiative or to speak to your local Safer Neighbourhood team call 101, the non-emergency number for Derbyshire police.